ANNZIE is a greeting card company that would like to expand graphics to other items.

www.annzie.com

Kibernum is a well-known company in IT software development services in Chile. It has been in the market for 15 years and values compromise to add value to customers and to promote ethical behavior in its actions.

As a company, Kibernum is going through an important development phase. During the last three years, revenue level and profit performance have had fast growth. On the other hand, Kibernum has experienced a major change in its services: there has been a movement from IT staffiing-a service it provided to important companies in Chile-to a provision of services of higer added value.

Considering all this and Kibernum's strong goal of selling $50M USD by 2010, there is a need to concentrate on the following topics:

1) How to promote and sell their new services within a competitive environment where IBM, Accenture Enviris, Indra, etc. are present.

2) How to achieve an internationalization process. Kibernum would like to start international operations by 2009.

www.kibernum.cl

Renewal in the Wilderness (RITW) is a 501(c)(3) corporation, founded in 2001, that takes people of any faith, questioning faith, and often enough, no faith, into the wilderness on 1-8 day camping trips to potentially experience God (or whatever term participants are comfortable with calling Something Bigger than We Are) in ways that are nearly impossible in more civilized settings.

Its business model is about 4000 years old and has been proven over those four millennia in all parts of the world, in so many cultures, with such remarkably similar results that it led RITW's founder to believe that the experience of God in wild places is so universal that it might be the "language" with which we might all speak of God without shedding blood.

Geared primarily to middle-aged adults who are no longer in Olympic condition, RITW's canoe/kayak trips are open to any person who is respectful of other people's ways of seeking a deeper relationship with God. .

The traditional marketing/advertising RITW has used for five years has stopped working. It no longer pays for itself in revenues generated by people taking trips. The organization would like to re-examine its message, then explore a greater use of internet opportunities, and find more efficient and productive ways to use traditional direct marketing. It would also like to explore the use of public relations.

Additionally, RITW would like to explore fundraising, an area in which they have attemped with little success. The organization needs to expand its reach in the fundraising arena.

www.renewalinthewilderness.org

goCat toys is an innovative cat toy start-up, in the IP process with MWE as a pro bono through Lawyers for the Creative Arts. The inventor-owned start-up with an innovative product is seeking help in overall marketing & corporate strategy, supply chain and entrepreneurship. This is a new company in need of a business plan whose ultimate goal may be to license the rights of the toy to a larger corporation.

Harris Bookbinders provides binding for hardcover and soft cover books. Additionally, they do CD and DVD packaging. The company is looking for analytical support to review the companies business model, pricing model, gross margins IRR and payback analysis on new equipment and business plan. The company is backed by private individuals who are considering a 2nd round of add on equity capital to invest in the company for additional machinery.

www.harrisbooks.com

Landauer is the world's leading provider of analytical services to determine occupational and environmental radiation exposure. For more than 50 years, the company has provided complete radiation dosimetry services to hospitals, medical and dental offices, universities, national laboratories, nuclear facilities and other industries in which radiation poses a threat to employees. Landauer's services include the manufacture of various types of radiation detection monitors, the distribution and collection of the monitors to and from clients, and the analysis and reporting of exposure findings. The company provides its services to 1.5 million people in the United States, Japan, France, the United Kingdon, Brazil, Canada, China, Australia and other countries.

Landauer is at a growth inflection and has initiated several projects to stimulate top-line growth for the company. These projects are focused on investing in peripheral technology and acquisitions of potentially new business lines. The company is looking for individual students or a group of students to assist in the strategic development of both internal and external growth strategies or lead market evaluations for the determination of entrance strategies.

www.landauerinc.com

Beldon Enterprises is a 60+ year old company that has Roofing and LeafGuard Gutter divisions. Total company sales will be roughly $75 million in 2007. LeafGuard by Beldon Enterprises operates Englert LeafGuard Franchises in 15 major markets in the US and Canada. They sell LeafGuard covered gutter systems, the only one-piece patented system in the US. The product has been awarded the Good Housekeeping Seal of approval. In 2005, a new division president was hired to lead the division to achieve aggressive new top and bottom line performance. In the first half of 2007, sales are up by roughly 50% over prior year. In 2006, sales grew approximately 27% with total sales reaching roughly $35 million. Sales in 2005 grew at a rate of 8% while prior years saw a stagnant top line. During this same time, the bottom line increased approximately 120% in 2005 and 200% in 2006.

Beldon Enterprises is one of the largest companies in a very fragmented industry dominated primarily by mom and pop companies. In some of its markets, Beldon Enterprises is the dominant player, while in others it is a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th player. During the past several years, the number of competitors has grown dramatically. This has resulted in a market that has little differentiation between products and competitors. Belden Enterprises believes that they have a differentiated product that they believe to be the best product on the market today. In addition, traditional lead generation methods have become less and less effective and the cost per lead continues to rise annually.

In 2005/6, they began to position the company for aggressive growth in both the top and bottom lines. This year, the company acquired two additional LeafGuard operations and is contemplating more acquisitions in 2007/8 if the numbers are justified.

The opportunity will be to analyze the business and to make recommendations as to the quickest and most profitable way to take Belden Enterprises' division sales to $100-$200 million in sales. In addition, they would like to look at various strategic alternatives or a possible liquidit event within the next five years.

They are open to new business segments to achieve this growth and are currently considering expanding their siding operation and the possibility of entering the replacement window business or the under deck business.

A secondary goal of the project will be to look at the siding and replacement window business or other business that can leverage the company's existing structure and overhead to increase sales and profits in each of its branches.

Depending on what the team recommends, an organizational structure will also need to be recommended to manage the expanded business.

www.belden.com

LifeStyle is a real estate brokerage firm that opened its doors in May, 2004. Its target market is first time homebuyers and mortgage bankers/lenders with real estate owned properties.

The objective for this project is to increase revenues through marketing/brand identity and franchise sales. This is a unique and creative opportunity to develop a plan to launch a franchise and build strong brand.

www.chooselifestyle.com

Masco is one of the world's largest manufacturers of homebuilding products. In the United States, Masco works with all of the nation's top 30 builders, 49 of the top 50 and 90 of the top 100. In 2000-2005, big builders have primarily grown their national footprints through acquisitions and consolidations. The top 10 builders accounted for less than 10% of all closings in 1996. By 2006, they accounted for more than 25%. During the same period, the top 100 builders grew from less than 25% share to almost 45%.

The current housing market could be characterized as deep in a slump and profoundly uncertain. All players in the industry are developing views of the future and re-evaluating their strategies for growth. They are looking for a team of Kellogg students that will:

1) Examine the history of past builder consolidations, its patterns and motivation;

2) Analyze the likelihood of further consolidations (or outcomes) and the driving forces;

3) Develop scenarios for how builders will evolve: likely survivors, to-market strategies and supplier relationships;

4) Evaluate the success of current Masco builder strategies;

5) Make suggestions for adjustments to Masco strategies.

Studio Ula La is an independent dance studio in the west loop of Chicago offering private lessons and group classes in Ballroom, Latin, Hip Hop, Latin Dance Aerobics and more.

Studio Ula La is looking for an independent marketer to design and begin implementation of an advertising campaign.  Our goal is to increase participation in all of our group classes and to obtain enough private students to keep all of our current instructors busy.  Ultimately we would like to have enough clients to add new group classes and to hire new instructors.

www.studioulala.com

With installations in five countries, Woodtech is an expert in measurement solutions for the wood industry. Woodtech's solutions are geared towards mills that need to measure their raw material intake a fast, precise and cost-effective manner. The Logmeter and Coalmeter product lines specialize in the measurement of physical variables, such as volume, diameters, lengths and biometric characteristics, of logs, wood chips, forest residue and coal loads on vehicles.

An average wood processing mill spends $100 million a year in wood, which typically accounts for more than 50% of the mill's total cost. However, less than $100,000 (or 0,1%) is destined to measure this wood as it enters the mill. Traditional scaling methods, such as weight, manual measurement or use of conversion factors lead to errors of up to 10% and are slow and costly to operate. Logmeter products use 3D laser scanner technology coupled with state of the art image recognition software to solve this problem, providing millions of dollars worth of cost savings and improved yields to pulp and paper, saw and board mills

Woodtech was created as a partnership between Excelsys (former developers of the Logmeter) and Siemel, one of the investment companies of the Angelini Group, the largest holding in Chile.

Woodtech has booked important customers in its short history. Given the fact that there is reduced competition and a great need for precise measurement systems, the company finds there is an excellent opportunity for market expansion, expecially in Brazil (short term) and USA and Canada (medium term). Woodtech seeks assistance both in achieving this market growth (contacts, know how of specific markets, etc.) as well as support in handling the growth (specifically from an organizational perspective).

www.woodtechms.com

FSG, a non-profit community organization, is committed to improving the psychological and emotional health, as well as the social well being of people who live in Glencoe. Services are provided regardless of one’s ability to pay. FSG’s highly trained therapists provide counseling to individuals and families. They also offer crisis counseling services for those who have experiences the trauma of a violent crime, abuse, or disaster. Other key programs include: domestic violence counseling and intervention, employee assistance programs, scholarship screening, senior housing assistance, community education, and referrals to other local agencies.

Projects would assess community awareness and perceptions of FSG. Specific attitudes would include: knowledge of FSG’s programs, usefulness of such programs, and perceives targets of such initiatives. Understanding would be gained as to whether community members have used or would use FSG’s services and the identity of the key contacts they would first approach when a need arose. Unmet needs would also be explored. Students help would be needed in terms of project definition, execution and evaluation.

Formaspace advances the spirit of discovery and creation through the design and manufacture of custom technical furniture and related services.

Formaspace, led by Kellogg alum Jeff Turk ('05), has grown rapidly from turnaround to Inc. 500 success story. Now the company needs basic market research to plot its next steps. Project areas include brand awareness, image, customer satisfaction, web site useability, and product research. This project is differentiated from the others by 1) executive access 2) to Kellogg marketing alum, using 3) real research based on actual customer database, 4) andother project-specific factors.

www.formaspace.com

Global Adrenaline is an adventure travel comopany providing overseas educational trips to affinity organizations (e.g. university alumni travel programs, museums, zoos and conservation groups).  We offer overseas adventures to Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Antarctica and the Arctic..

We would like to examine the attactiveness of the  corporate incentive travel market (e.g. corporations offering overseas trips as rewards for meeting sales quotas, achieving performance targets, etc.)

www.globaladrenaline.com

Harcourt Assessment, Inc. has a long and rich history that dates to the early part of the 20th Century and is tied to some of the most respected names in publishing. Since their establishment in 1921, Harcourt has been committed to providing quality assessments, efficient testing procedures and valid and reliable information to help all individuals succeed. Publishing under two names, Harcourt and the Psychological Corporation, Harcourt Assessment serves educators and clinicians worldwide, helping them improve the lives of individuals of all ages.

The project objective is to develop an "electronic assessment" business model.

The clinical customer's assessment workflow remains a mix of either analog or digital or a combination of both. Within the actual assessment phase, relevant information in a standardized format/protocol. It is believed that millions of record forms are consumed on an annual basis, but actual US market numbers are difficult to quantify. They believe that an opportunity exists to migrate from a "paper-based" assessment business to delivering electronic , customizable assessment services. A prototype has been developed, but more help is needed around developing the business model.

Deliverables for this project should include:

1) Marketplace portrait of market size, growth, trends, and assumptions

2) Competitive landscape (traditional and non-traditional)

3) Definition of customer workflow (by segment)

4) Financial projections and key metrics

5) Pricing model evaluations and recommendation on how money can be made with how many customers and at what "conversion" rate (moving customers from paper to digital)

6) Challenges around customer conversion.

Harcourt Assessment, Inc. has a long and rich history that dates to the early part of the 20th Century and is tied to some of the most respected names in publishing. Since their establishment in 1921, Harcourt has been committed to providing quality assessments, efficient testing procedures and valid and reliable information to help all individuals succeed. Publishing under two names, Harcourt and the Psychological Corporation, Harcourt Assessment serves educators and clinicians worldwide, helping them improve the lives of individuals of all ages.

While the Psychological Corporation (TPC) has historically sold its psychological, speech/language and occupational therapy products into the health care market, these sales have been relatively passive and driven by direct-mail and catalog distribution exclusively. In order to further penetrate this (presumed) growth market, TPC requires a more in-depth knowledge of the market, its customer segments, and the primary market drivers in order to develop an effective business plam to actively exploit opportunities.

Project objectives: 1) complete a secondary research-based market and competitive analysis for the psychological, speech/language and occupational therapy assessment in the health care market; 2) provide understanding of the distribution and marketing channels used to reach professionals in this market; 3) generally outline the scope of relevant assessment-related practice and associated professionals (titles, roles) in the target segments; 4) analyze current (2004 to present) market penetration of TPC in these segments through review of customer order data by product to identify potential customer types to target; 5) determine requirments for any primary research and scope of assignments to augment the secondary research.

Deliverables include: 1) overview of the market to include market size, growth, major trends or drivers related to assessment; 2) segmentation of the market, to include hospitals, primary care medical, rehabilitation clinics (government sponsored and private) and other relevant segments as determined through the secondary research; 3) competitive landscape: companies currently providing assessments to the health care market by product type or application; 4) definition of customer work flow (by segment and by product type or application); 5) use of technology within each segment/sub-segment (computers, tablet computers, palm devices, kiosks, etc.); 6) by segment, delineation of the assessment distribution channel (technology and paper/pencil; 7) analysis of TPC sales database to determine key current accounts, products purchased, trends, etc.; 8) proposal for any required primary research to further develop insight for the deliverables noted.

Karsh Seguin & Co. provides consulting services to students that desire to work for top employers or in top industries. Specifically we focus on Consulting, Investment Banking, Law etc. and help students navigate the recruiting process and succeed at landing a top job.

The focus of the study is open to suggestions; however, we are mostly interested in better understanding our market (who is interested in our services, how do we reach targets, and how do we position ourselves versus competition), formulating a marketing strategy and brands.

The owner of these schools is planning on adding new locations in the future, probably before the end of the year. An internal survey of customers has already been done, and the owner would like to share the results, and feels that the next step is to do a general survey using the results to develop a better marketing plan by assessing market segments, identifying a primary target segment, a secondary target and drivers he can use to differentiate his business. The study would include some benchmarking as well as to help select areas to locate new studios in Chicago and the suburbs, 3 in the near term, and more in the future.

TuVista is a technology platform developed by Motorola Labs that is aiming to enhance the in-stadium experience of sporting events by providing access to relevant content such as replays and statitstics on a cell phone or PDA. The intended market research study will determine which services will generate the greatest interest among stadium viewers. The student team will explore the implicit wants and needs satisfied by the TuVista system and will segment the market for in-stadium services.

My World is a play-and-learn center specifically adapted to enhance and build upon existing and developing skills of children with special needs. It is similar to a children’s museum, although focusing on adapting the environment and making accessible all areas of play and learn center. The partnership between My World and parents, educators, therapists, and the community will provide an environment that cultivates understanding and acceptance of all children. My World is developed around holistic play-and-learn areas that address the spectrum of developmental skills such as communication, social-emotional, cognitive, motor, sensory, daily living, and more. Every play-and-learn area in My World will enable each child to participate, while also encouraging and challenging additional skills.  My World will focus on abilities regardless of age, physical, and/or mental development because cognitive abilities do not always develop at the same pace as the physical body. My World offers individualized assistance and specialized support to facilitate the greatest level of participation possible for each child. A staff member will be present at each area to help children with special needs, as well as families and friends interact. My World provides a place for other partners. My World provides a unique opportunity for educators and support staff to find ideas and resources to use in the classroom.

My World is in the beginning stages of development. It is a not-for-profit corporation in Illinois. The IRS paperwork for 50(C) (3) status is in the process. A website is also in the process. The mission statement, by-law, articles of incorporation, and conflict of interest policies have all been established. My World needs a business plan, budgets, and marketing research to begin fundraising..

Company is yet to be founded but if the research supports interest, would be founded in the next few years by a Kellogg grad. Given the growing trend towards healthy eating and living, would like to gauge interest in a restaurant (potentiallu franchise if there is success) that serves strictly vegetarian fusion food, either in the Chicago, San Francisco, or Vancouver markets.

Nike and their largest U.S. distributor would like to engage a team of motivated Kellogg students to pursue the concept of a "Team Campus" pilot project, a Nike initiative to target the Big Ten schools in the Midwest.  Nike and the distributor would provide oversight and guidance to the Kellogg team to conduct research, contribute ideas and if approved, conduct the actual pilot project at Northwestern with a defined budget to cover expenses.  The project team would present to
Nike executives and the distributor on three occasions, and the expectation is that one or more of the group members would want to continue to work for Nike in the Chicago office full-time or as part of a internship. 

This project would span a period of 12 weeks starting
ASAP and wrapping up before finals begin for the Spring semester.  The ideal project team will be comprised of students with a dedicated interest in sports marketing along with some cross-functional team members.  There should be 4-6 students on a team that are willing to commit at least 10 hours per week in total during the 12 week project.

Please contact Rick Perez - rperez2008@kellogg.northwestern.edu - if you have any prelimiary interest by Thursday April 3rd and to receive more information.

Company started new product category 6 years ago. Now faces serious new competition. Company has the highest quality product in the category, but has been losing market share to low cost, lower quality competitors.

Develop Market project, and focus groups to identify and highlight project’s best features and positions as the best quality, best performing product in its category.

Petit Four Legs is a gourmet dog treat company that was started by a professional chef. The company has become known as an innovator in the industry for its high level of attention-to-detail in treats and packaging.

Interested in launching a nutraceutical/organic line in 2009 and want more insight into what health concerns dog owners have that they would want to have addressed.

www.petitfourlegs.com

five accessories is a web-based retailer and wholesaler of international handmade handbags and jewelry with a charitable aspect. The Chicago-based company helps support grassroots efforts around the globe to aid under-privileged children by donating five dollars of every handbag sold and 15% of all other sales to each artisan's local cause. five accessories carries handbags and jewelry made from a variety of materials including bamboo, wicker, coconut shells, recycled materials, silver, cloth, leather and more; materials unique to each artisan's locality. In addition to the web site, five accessories' items are carried by 25 boutiques in over 10 states. All products are priced under $100, and its target market is people with an interest in trendy, eco-friendly and reasonably priced accessory items and gifts with a purpose.

Since operations started in March, 2006, five accessories has not finalized a business plan and marketing strategy. Thus, they would like a group of Kellogg students to formulate a business plan with emphasis on the marketing strategy that best utilizes the company's identity to generate market awareness and exposure to its target market.

www.fiveaccessories.com

Microfibers Unlimited has been a "green" product company for the last ten years. The owners sell a product line of premium quality microfiber cloths and mops that clean surfaces without chemicals or soaps, with water only. It is an amazing time and money saver, and very simple to use. Our market includes household end-users as well as some industrial users in the U.S. The sales have had an emphasis in the kitchen and bath industry as well as high-end retailer, and became the direct importer of the products in January 2008. Now that Microfibers Unlimited have a lower wholesale price, they have many corporate opportunities opening up for this "green" product line which receives excellent reviews from their customers and wholesale clients.

Since Microfibers Unlimited is going "bigger" the goal is get focused on intelligent branding and marketing strategies so to present more professionally to larger retailers. There is also the goal of expanding the private label markets, which would require a business plan.

www.MicrofibersUnlimited.com

Vision Quest Coaching (VQ) is the premeire Coaching Service for serious endurance athletes in the Midwest. Founded by former professional cyclist (and former teammate of Lance Armstrong) and coach of 2006 Tour de France champion Floyd Landis, Robbie Ventura, VQ offers personalized, year-round coaching to cyclists and triathletes of all levels-from beginning to elite.

VQ's list of clients continues to grow, but at a rate they would like to increase. To date, they have relied solely on word of mouth to attract new clients. Thus VQ feels that there would be a substantial benefit to increased and improved marketing of its product at the local and perhaps, national, level.

Another way in which they would like to see their company grow is by offering new services either to their existing clients, or by pulling from a different client base. This could include ideas such as offering generalized training plans for sale to the public, or offering high-end services such as blood-testing and gait analysis. In addition, since a portion of VQ's revenue comes from the sale of clothing and merchandise, they would like the ability to complete these transactions via the Internet. Finally, they are also considering franchise opportunities, and would like to explore the relative advantages and disadvantages of corporate versus independent ownership.

www.visionquestcoaching.com

Executive Fit is a men's underwear line. The owners have worked with Kellogg students in the past on a feasibility study for their idea. The results were favorable, and they would like to have a group of Kellogg students work on business plan development.

Honey-Can-Do is a well-funded start up by experienced professionals from related industries. The CEO is an NU grad and student in the Kellogg EMBA program. The culture of the company is transparent, fun and collaborative. The founders want to demonstrate that a successful consumer products company can be established which shows respect for the personnel, vendors and customers and that the culture will be appreciated in return.

The function of the company is to produce products in Asia for home storage, home organization and home improvement and provide to mass and specialty retailers, home centers and other channels.

The founders would like Kellogg students to create a business plan as if the company were created from scratch. The company is self-funded, and wants to invest the funds wisely. This an excellent opportunity to apply principles from the program in developing the culture, accounting principles, marketing strategy, etc.

www.honeycando.com

Trust Residential is a nonprofit organization that serve adults with mental illness.


We are seeking assistance from Kellogg center for Nonprofit Management to assist with our organization's application for 501(c) 3 status.

Women at Risk International seeks to unite and educate women to provide protection and hope to women at risk, through global, culturally sensitive and value-added intervention projects.

WAR International creates circles of support for women who face significant risk due to hunger or abuse. In a effort to educate American women, they will travel to places around the world allowing them to interact and sponsor numerous projects finding ways for women at risk to know sustainability for themselves and/or their families. The organization will also offer products international women at risk make for sale in its office and online. They need a business plan for operations and project management options.

Finance